Tips on planning a surprise wedding! (Copy)

How to plan a successful surprise wedding! 

So you’re engaged?! Or maybe you are secretly engaged? Congratulations! Time for the wedding! However the fuss of a wedding day and every other party before that, just might not be for you and hey, we understand there can be a lot of stress involved at times during the planning process. Maybe you are looking for something with less hassle but with more significance? Or maybe you are looking for something to keep everyone on their toes? Ever wonder what a surprise wedding might look like? Or even how one would work?! Are you dreaming of a backyard intimate wedding or tying the knot at your favourite cafe spot or restaurant?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you’re in luck - we are experts in this area and can give you the lowdown! Let’s surprise your guest and give them a day to remember! Not sure where to start? Let’s break it down….

1. Keep it a Surprise

Rule No.1 Keep your New Zealand surprise wedding a secret. Enough said.

2. Create the disguise

Whether it is a birthday party, family BBQ, house warming or an engagement party. You need to make a party or an event for someone to attend in disguise of your surprise wedding. One of our favourites is a good old engagement party - It’s a cliche because it works! We highly recommend starting with an engagement party and turning it into a surprise wedding. Sending out engagement parties physically or online is becoming more and more popular in this day and age. An engagement party helps as a disguise. It allows you to have all the bells and whistles of a wedding without your guests getting an inkling of the surprise that awaits them. An engagement party allows for speeches and any other traditions from a traditional wedding that you would still love to have. Make it the best god-damn party and celebration of the century with your favourite caterers, food trucks or even cocktails makers! Customise your party, whether it is black tie or something more relaxed make sure it is a reflection of you, your relationship and your love!

3. Have a killer MC to keep the wedding entertained.

Your MC will be a part of your inner circle and the “in the know” crew who will help to execute the surprise element to your surprise wedding. They will make or break the surprise and let your friends and family know what is about to go down! We want this moment to be as amazing and special as you could possibly imagine so think about WHO will deliver this message and also WHO can keep their lips sealed in the lead up. In our experience, most people have an uncle or a good friend who takes this important MC role. This person may or may not be able to formally marry you but don’t let those niggly details hold you back from choosing the right person for the job. Some couples will take a trip down to the courthouse to do the official and formal part of the marriage and save the engagement party to have the meaningful wedding ceremony with only their nearest and dearest family and friends. Remember it is a privilege to be invited to a wedding NOT a right so don’t feel obligated to have an MC, celebrant or guest that does not have significant meaning to you both.

4. Don’t let your outfit ruin the secret!

Dress for the occasion - remember people are under the impression that it is not a wedding! Don’t spoil the surprise by having your wedding dress or suit on as guests arrive. You want that moment to be impacting, special but most of all you want to catch your guests off guard! We recommend waiting till after all the hellos, hugs, small talk and yarns before dashing away to your dressing room to prepare for the big reveal! Your MC kicks off the night by letting people know that the night is about to begin followed by announcing “Where is (insert Lover One)?” - then Lover One appears dressed for the wedding ceremony. MC announces that “Tonight is a very special occasion, heck why wait for another day to get married? We are ready to have this beautiful wedding now!” Then surprise and love fills the room while the guest makes a little aisle for Lover Two to walk down. Lover Two leaves the dressing room to walk down the aisle and surprise their guests in their wedding attire. It’s all gasps, tears and smiles throughout the room the perfect result for a perfectly executed surprise… Like we said we are experts!

5. Include those closest to you!

The only thing more surprising than a surprise wedding is being asked to play a part in a surprise wedding ceremony! Just because it is a surprise doesn’t mean you can’t include your close friends and families by doing readings or poems or even standing next to you within your ceremony. Have words printed out ready to go, a bouquet of flowers, or if you like to play it risky give someone the rings to be the ring bearer. Let the MC announce the important role they will be playing or if it is appropriate surprise them yourself before the ceremony begins!

6. Bells, whistles, and the whole florist shop!

Who is a fan of flowers? Ok let me rephrase that: Who is obsessed with beautiful floristry? We expect all hands to be up at this stage! Just because it is a surprise doesn’t mean there is no reason to miss out on a bouquet, table arrangements, flower crown or a beautiful backdrop floral wall. Add other elements like lights, guests books, unique trinkets that reflect you as a couple! Think outside the box, be creative, be you!

7. Day After Couple Shoot

You’ve partied the night away and spent the whole time being present with those closest you. Now it’s time to get those gorgeous “Couple” images with the one you committed your life too in a location that is breathtaking. Book a sunset shoot the following day where you get glammed up in your attire. Spend some quality time, and enjoy celebrating your love while walking into the sunset with some beautiful memories captured together.

8. Don’t let those far away miss out!

Consider letting any key people who may need to travel from afar know about your plans and how truly special this evening will be, so they can make the effort to attend! Hint, hint, and hint so they don’t miss out!

9. We want to hear you loud and clear!

Have a sound system on hand so everyone can hear you two lovebirds pledge your love to one another. As unique as a surprise wedding is, if you are capturing this by video then a sound system is a must for clear audio! We want to make sure you capture it well so when you look back you are reminded how you felt and why you chose each other.

10. Your inner circle.

Who to tell? Gosh, that is a hard question and it’s hard to draw the line. Our recommendation is to think wisely and don’t feel pressured into telling those who can’t keep a secret (even if they are family!) Rule of thumb; let vendors, MC, Parents (only if you don’t want to surprise them and if they can keep their lips sealed), and then potentially anyone flying from the other side of the world know. Apart from that, no one needs to know till the night kicks off and the MC drops the news.

Timeline & how to capture it well!

Yes, we get it, you may have never been to a New Zealand surprise wedding and you need to know the facts and logistics on how the night actually looks. We understand and are here to help, so here is a draft timeline to give you an idea on how things will roll and how to best make sure the night is captured the way it deserves.

30 minutes: Photography & Videography capturing the venue. Beautiful details, the location, the space captured empty like the calm before the storm

30 minutes: Guests arrive enjoying hugs, yarns and canapes and bubbles. Candid footage and imagery captured!

15 minutes: Guests are told by the MC the formal part of the night is about to begin.

15 minutes: Lovers get changed in their dresses room together or separate - whatever suits the two of you.

10 minutes: THE REVEAL: We recommend the MC gives your Photographer and Videographer warning they are about to reveal the surprise so they have time to prepare to capture the incredible moment! MC announces the surprise confirming the event is a surprise Wedding!

Cue: Gasps and clapping, tears of joy running down your family and friend’s faces.

20 minutes - 30 minutes: The Wedding ceremony, Vows and rings exchanged and it is all sealed with a kiss!

15 minutes: Hugs, Congratulations, Happy tears

45 minutes: Food glorious food!

15 minutes: Family & Friends photos

30 minutes: Speeches

30 minutes: First Dance & then it’s time to party!!!

Post Wedding Day
We highly recommend a sunset shoot (if the weather allows) the following day to capture your true selves

PS: Keep in mind this is a draft timeline and a guide some may choose to do a first look and a creative shoot before the engagement party. This is just the most recommend way from the Acorn Team x

Okay we have convinced you…. So let’s do this! 

Keen to explore a bit more around a surprise wedding? We would love to talk about some options with you!
Drop us a line and let’s make your surprise wedding dreams a reality.